The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-05-03
Jefersonian Democrats Resume the Habit Of
Riding About Washington in Costly Car
riages Purchased by the Government.
The Supreme Court Points Out Method
of Relief from Assessment Errors.
The Annual Monthly Exhibit the Condition
of the National Finances Senator's Ad-
ventures in Obtaining a Passport.
SHAM REFORM

Elegant Equipages for Government Omcials
The Oppressive Time-Keeping System.
Special to the Indianapolis journal
WASHINGTON. May 2--It will be remembered
that when the present administration took charge
there was a great parade made of the fact thar
the prominent officials of the outgoing admins
tration had horses and carriages to go with from
point to point about the city on government bus
mess; also, that about half of these were soon
sold by the incoming officials. and the announce
ment made that they would walk or ride in street
cars. like the common herd. There to be
Jeffersonian simplicity from the start. and it was
to be maintain A few newspapers ventured
to remark that this display of virtue was all
folderol, and that the carriages and horses were
simply sold to make show. and that new and
better ones would soon be bought. This has
proven to be true. / am told by man who has
made diligent inquiry, and who is in position to
know, that there are 20 per cent. more carriages
in use by government officials here now than
there were when this administration took
charge, at any time within the past ten years;
also. that the money invested In these vehicles
and horses amounts TO One-tnlrd more than ever
befn-~ and that wherever old carriage was
sold this administration came in a new and
bette has been purchased.
The. 5 another piece of contemplate denna-
gogy the men connected with the administra-
ton are guilty of, and attention to which has
been called in these dispatches heretofore. It Is
the practice of time e-kee ping in the departments
No one questions the right or justice of reaulr-
ing the employees to render many hours of
faithful service as they paid for. This all
private establishments require. But there are
quite number of officials, like the sweet scent
ed Commissioner of the General Land Office.
the Government Printer, the Commissioner of
Pensions, etc. who lounge around their hotels
or homes every morning. almost, from lo to IL
o'clock, while their time keepers in their bureaus
ere charging up every poor woman or disabled
solaier who is from two minutes to quarter of
ar ho,r late. and the time is deducted from their
picayuniSh charges, and then the enploye Is dis
instructed to require the employees who come IN
a few minutes late to make affidavit as to cause
of tardness for which the usual notarial fees are
charged. IF there a Republican Conr mis-
soner in the Office he would be charged with
sharing in the proceeds OF the arrangement with
the notary clerk.
Frequently these "hieh" officials go driving
with their families in the daytime. go TO the
fheater matinees. base basl games. and always fo
their homes for mid day lunch, taking from one
TO three hours, while the clerks must be content
with a thirty minute lunch of co.d stuff at a
cheap restaurant It is pretty difficult TO ses
why in official matters as we'll private life,
that that which Is for the goose Is
something else for the gander.